Ronald Koeman has urged Netherlands to set aside the broader ambitions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and focus entirely on overcoming Japan in their Group F opener in Dallas.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the Netherlands manager acknowledged the weight of expectation surrounding his squad but was clear that no opponent would be taken lightly — starting with Japan.

"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves," Koeman said. "We want to go far in the tournament. We have a strong team and we know what we need to improve to have a real chance."

"But we need to take it one game at a time. We need to focus first on Japan, which will be a difficult game," he added.

Respect, not fear, for Japan

Koeman was measured in his assessment of the Japanese side, praising their attacking approach and physical strength while stressing that Netherlands have identified where they can exploit weaknesses.

"We have a good impression of the Japanese team — we carefully analyse all our opponents," he said. "Their game is offensive. I don't want to discuss individual players, but we know they are physically strong. We also know where our opportunities will lie. We are not afraid of our opponent, but we respect them."

The Dutch coach highlighted the tactical demands of the encounter: tight defensive positioning, closing down space at pace, and converting individual chances early to avoid unnecessary pressure in the final minutes.

Memphis Depay fit and ready

One significant boost for Netherlands ahead of Sunday's fixture is the fitness of key striker Memphis Depay. Koeman confirmed that Depay is available to start and has been steadily improving throughout the squad's ten-day pre-tournament preparation camp.

"Memphis is fit and will be able to start the game if selected," Koeman said. "The past 10 days, from the start of our preparations, his fitness has improved. Things are looking good — he is an important player and has been for a very long time. He is a key part to our possible success in this tournament."

Koeman revealed he has already informed the players of his starting line-up, though he declined to share the details publicly ahead of kick-off.